Fresh off the bus after getting out of jail for child abuse, Lucy -- now Lucinda (Cheryl Ladd) -- runs into Detective Matt Harding (Nick Mancuso). Lucinda is obviously pregnant, so Matt decides to play a practical joke on his buddy, divorced lawyer Clay Spencer (Mike Farrell of Prime Suspect), by setting him up on a date with Lucinda. The plan backfires when Clay invites Lucinda out for dinner and begins an intense romance with her. Eventually the couple marry, and Clay becomes a father to Lucinda's little girl. Although Lucinda seems to be in love with Clay, she begins to make passes at her handsome stepson, Nick (Michael Woolson). How long will Nick, who has a girlfriend in Terry (Nancy Cartwright), be able to resist, and what on earth will it lead to?
Inspired by a true story, Vows of Deception is a standard but entertaining true crime saga with some good acting from Farrell, Woolson, and especially Nick Mancuso, who is dynamic and excellent. Cheryl Ladd, who is quite sexy in this, successfully keeps the viewer from knowing exactly what's on her mind, increasing the suspense. Bill Norton also directed Gargoyles with Cornel Wilde and False Arrest with Donna Mills. Michael Woolson later became a notable acting coach and stage director.
Verdict: Minor-league but absorbing crime drama. **1/2.
I might have seen this back in the day. Cheryl was the blonde queen of TV movies in the 90s until Donna Mills took over. Before Cheryl, it was always Barbara Eden playing these type roles.
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Ha -- that's it exactly! They went from sitcoms and soap operas to movies of the week.
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